Dear NIH,

The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is pleased to invite the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to join us in celebrating National Native American Heritage Month. Each November, the NIH honors and recognizes the significant contributions made by Native Americans. This year’s theme is Rising Above Adversity: Bringing Native Voices to the Forefront. I encourage everyone to participate this month as we highlight the importance of allyship. This year’s campaign will demonstrate how allyship can help eliminate injustice and more effectively collaborate with our colleagues working to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA).

EDI fully supports the newly released Executive Order 14049, the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities. We are committed to uplifting Native American voices and learning new ways to be allies to Native communities.

Some helpful allyship tips for Native American Heritage Month:

1. Listen and help amplify Native voices.
2. Advocate for the preservation and protection of sacred lands.
3. Support Native American organizations locally and nationwide.

On Tuesday, November 9, EDI will host a virtual panel discussion titled Leading through Allyship from 1:00-2:00 pm ET. Participants will gain insights from a diverse group of speakers willing to share best practices, personal experiences, and suggestions on being the most effective ally in action.

If you are interested in following the campaign, learning how you can support the Native American Portfolio, or understanding our work to promote diversity and inclusion at the NIH, please follow EDI on Twitter and Instagram at @NIH_EDI. Be sure to check out the resources, blogs, and other new content on the EDI National Native American Heritage Month webpage.

If you have any questions or concerns, or if you need to request accommodation to attend the events, please contact Ashley Wells at ashley.wells@nih.gov.

Sincerely yours,

Treava Hopkins-Laboy
Acting EDI Director